Corn seeds germinate rapidly directly in soil. For good polination, corn is usually planted in a rectangle. Therefore, direct seeding of more plants than you may have would likely overtake the transplants and do better with more corn.

Don't give up! I can tell you our 4 Sambucus shrubs really took off this year after being planted 3 years ago. They are finally stunning and thriving! We were really considering giving up on them if they looked as ratty at the end of this season as they did for the last couple. I'm really stunned and wish I had a before/after pic because it really is something. By the way... No fertilizer - no nothing other than it's "natural" environment and some minimal pruning/shaping.

Right, don't fertilize until they have recovered and have put out plenty of leaves. Bloom Buster is the wrong kind of fertilizer--regular Miracle Gro or Miracle Gro for Roses is fine, or any reasonably balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 18-6-12. Watering correctly is the most important thing. Keep a 2" mulch of leaves or bark around the roses. When the soil under the mulch feels dry-ish, water thoroughly with 2-3 gallons for small plants or 5 gallons for larger, plus or minus for extremely hot or very mild, cloudy weather. Usually once a week is fine. For new plants, I divide the ration in half and water twice a week.

Tylor Best is just to relax :) All of us feel the same - we do not want to bring home any unvelcomed guests. Just try to make sure you look plants over in the store, and if in doubt about health of any, just do not buy them. Sometimes, there are pests and not easy to spot. Hopefully, not very often. If growing any plants, it is likely inevitable to have some pests occasionally. But if you keep plants healthy - proper watering, well draining mix and container, proper light exposure - they are able to resist them better. Pest will attack weak plants much more often than healthy, strong plants. And some will attack only specific plants, and ignore others. Some are easier to get rid of, some more difficult. Most ppl have to figth mealy bugs or scale, but there could be other pests. While prevention is best medicine, spraying with strong chemicals as a preventative measure could be jumping the gun. It is similar to using strong antibiotic for any ailement - body will get 'used' to it and the medicine may not work as well if really needed. Using rubbing alcohol works quite well on many pests. Make sure plants are not in strong sunlight while being treated with anything (rubbing alcohol dries very fast). Any plant with bugs should be treated asap, to avoid spreading of pests. It is much easier to get rid of very few than large infestation. There are ppl that use spray or drench as a preventative measure. But it should be used in proper way. OTOH, plant pests will stick to plants, they will not invade anything else. If you have any outdoor space - garden, terrace, balcony - it is really good for plants to spend time outdoorsb (always introduce plants slowly to direct sunlight). If not, try to give them best place indors: lots of natural light, good air circulation.